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STYLE AND SUBSTANCE (November 2001)

Annabeth Gish has been acting since she was 13 years old and has starred in more than 35 movies. But she's never experienced as tough a professional challenge as now confronts her - working 75 to 80 hours a week as FBI agent Monica Reyes in The X-Files.

"I've never faced this kind of marathon of a test of my endurance and stamina," said the brunette beauty. "We make a little movie every eight days. The quality is so high for execution. In every level - physical, mental, emotional - you've got to show up and be sharp."

But the Albuquerque, N.M., native wouldn't stay on the sci-fi series if she didn't love it. "Last night, we were running down a dark alleyway and I was wielding my gun, and I felt like I was a kid playing dress-up. You get a real charge from it," Gish says.

Gish first appeared in the movie Desert Bloom in 1986, playing a young girl living in Las Vegas during the Korean War. She followed that up with Shag, opposite Bridget Fonda, and Mystic Pizza, with a soon-to-be famous Julia Roberts.

After taking a four-year break to major in English at Duke University, Gish returned to acting, appearing in feature films such as Wyatt Earp, Double Jeopardy and Beautiful Girls.

The busy 30-year-old actress is in four upcoming movies: Buying the Cow with Jerry O Connell; Race to Space with James Woods; Pursuit of Happiness; and Morning.

Question: Favorite clothes/designers ?Annabeth: I'm really into Katayone Adeli. I love their stuff. Calvin Klein always works great for me. Classic Ralph Lauren. And I love Marc Jacobs. And the designer Lu - Ellen on "X-Files" dresse me in Theory. We laugh about it in the dressing room. Whenever something fits nice on me, we look at the tag and we say, "Oh, of course it's Theory." Whoever is designing for them is really great.

Question: Where do you shop ?Annabeth: Since I started this show, it's apparently very good for my compulsive need to shop and I have not purchased that many clothes. Fred Segal - is pretty reliable. I like a little more boutique-y place to shop, like Emma Gold.

Question: What do you do to relax ?Annabeth: I try to truly take care of myself, and I'm finding that with this schedule it's really important. I'm having to distill all my time off into quality replenishing moments, and that is spending time with my dear friends. I try to get outdoors and go for long walks with my dog. And I do a form of Tibetan Buddhist meditation - no mantra, and I focus on breathing.

Question: How do you stay in shape ?Annabeth: Yoga, hiking. I run - cross-training. I try to do as much as I can outdoors. I need the fresh air. Occasionally, I go to the gym.

Question: Do you follow a special diet ?Annabeth: I don't eat red meat. Not for any political reasons, just for personal choice. A lot of protein, vegetables, water - that's my staple.

Question: What was your last major splurge ?Annabeth: I bought a new Miu Miu purse.

Question: What gives you substance ?Annabeth: My family and friends and my dog. And having an inner spiritual life. Having a connection there.

Question: What do you wear when relaxing ?Annabeth: I have big pajama bottoms, never pajama tops. Cotton ones with cute prints from Old Navy or the Gap. I love men's pajamas.

Question: What do you wear for a big night out ?Annabeth: I just bought this great little black Marc Jacobs dress - it's classic but a little skewed, and I wore a great bag. Simple, elegant and not too complicated, with Christian Louboutin shoes. Costume National is also great for me because I'm tall and broad-shouldered, so I have to wear strong clothing.

Question: What would you never wear ?Annabeth: Culottes or stirrup pants. They're horrible.

Question: Whose style do you most admire ?Annabeth: I love Nicole Kidman. And Charlize Theron is always great.

Question: What would you love to own but would never buy for yourself ?Annabeth: If I could drive it, a Harley Davidson.

Question: What do you look for in a man ?Annabeth: A sense of humor, compassion and someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously. But when do I have time to date? I'm married to this show.